Digital learning promotes autonomous learning

Digital learning is already a reality, consolidated after the need to keep students studying during lockdown. Even UNESCO considers the relevance of digital learning as a strategy to spread education to anyone, anywhere in the world, due to the holistic approach of this educational method.?

Digital learning, as defined by ESSA, is "any teaching practice that effectively uses technology to enhance the learning experience of students and encompasses a wide range of tools and practices."

Classroom learning has changed, quickly. Learning is now occurring in a variety of environments—synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid and virtual formats, school closures, and limited or rolling grade-level openings—with each impacting the learning experience of students. The current environment has created the demand to support students by leveraging EdTech and tools to empower the individual learner, foster engagement, develop agency and self-directed digital learning, and optimize assessments.? (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Teacher Digital Learning Guide)?

This broad definition includes the use of technology and practices in all teaching models, from face-to-face to fully online learning environments.?

Although traditional teaching still prevails, several experts already understand that shortly, e-learning will succeed as the teaching method of choice.

The possibilities are endless since this practice has been improving, assimilating technological advances in gamification, computer language, virtual environments, and internet speed.

By incorporating this digital learning, schools and teachers can offer students better learning opportunities, adjusted to the needs of each one. The expected result is a maintenance of the learning curve consistent with the expectations of students, parents, and teachers.

For teachers, although there is still some resistance, those who use it realize the advantages, such as having effortless access to the student's homework and automating daily tasks; the classes become more dynamic, playful, and immersive, capturing students' attention; it is possible to explore resources that dialogue with students' lives, such as games, virtual reality environments, and computer language; monitoring student performance in real-time, and intervene quickly and accurately to solve doubts, to name a few.?

For students, the advantages only increase. The most attractive aspect of digital learning is making students responsible for learning while developing autonomy and self-esteem. The content is readily available, allowing students to determine their study schedule and the amount of material they cover. It can be accessed at any time and from any location.

Despite progress, there are still challenges to overcome in monitoring children's academic life, and parents are essential in this process. The first point we should be aware of is screen time. Digital learning is an excellent teaching methodology, but we must carefully control the screen time of children and adolescents. Studying is good, but everything needs limits.

Digital literacy is another factor to consider. Both students and teachers may need to be more receptive to this environment, and we must respect and find alternatives to make access more engaging. There is just no avoiding it.

Therefore, deans and teachers need a lot of dedication when organizing teaching strategies and annual planning, adapting the content to the methodology. There is a plethora of software, websites, apps, and systems to guide digital teaching. In order to provide the best solutions to students, the school community needs to come together as a unified force.

Schools whose teaching methodology incorporates digital education, such as WorldEd School, do so intending to offer the best teaching practices for their students, always focusing on education for digital citizenship, safety, and the development of socio-emotional skills, such as responsibility, community life, literacy, and logical thinking. The future of education has arrived early, and the path of progress continues to be paved by us, educators.?

Lastly, the virtual environment includes the need for support and supervision. Parents and teachers need to follow the development of each student, understand their weaknesses, and encourage children's and teens' emotional self-regulation. Also, promoting face-to-face activities, such as math championships, museum visits, and even educational fairs, is as important as classes. Even though education can be delivered digitally, human interaction is still essential to life.